The next thing I am trying to fox on my car is the shifter. Its a bit loose in every gear (about 1/2" play). This has been the case since I bought the car and I would like to get it fixed. I am hearing contrasting ideas about buying different parts.

What are the parts/bushings I need and what are the steps to complete this job?

 

Is it a manual or automatic transmission?

 

Its the 4 speed automatic - AW 70/71 I believe. I have heard of people ending up with a shifter that isnt connected to anything after a certain point. Just trying to avoid that and fix things before it becomes a real issue.

 

there's two different sets of bushings in the auto shifter. one set is on the pivot that the shift lever moves on, it gets sloppy so it can move side to side and rock front back a bit more than it should, but it usually keeps working. the other set is on the underside of the car, along side the transmission, one on each end of the control rod that links the shifter lever to the transmission lever.

me, if I was getting in there, I'd replace all of them.

shifter lever bushings (2) - pn 381710
control rod bushings - 1 each, 381704 and 955894

to fix the shifter lever bushings, you'd go under the car, and disconnect the control rod from the arm that drives it below the shifter, then remove the plastic trim plate around the shifter, and remove the 4 bolts that hold the metal 'can' to the tranny hump, and lift the whole thing out (unplugging a few wires), then take it apart (bolt on bottom and the nut on the side of the control lever)